Ashton hits a treble as Northampton go top

England winger Chris Ashton bagged his second hat-trick of tries this season as Northampton went to the top of the Guinness Premiership with a 38-23 defeat of the Gloucester.

In a repeat of their 30-24 LV= Cup final defeat of the Cherry and Whites, the Saints did enough to ensure they leapfrogged Leicester at the summit of the table with the Tigers travelling to Newcastle on Sunday.

Ashton's first two tries and a Dylan Hartley score put the home side ahead but they were never totally in control at Franklin's Gardens and after Hartley was sin-binned for a cynical kick of the ball, Gloucester fought back.

Nicky Robinson dispatched the resulting penalty and Dave Attwood added to Charlie Sharples' early try to claw the Cherry and Whites back into the game.

But England international Shane Geraghty eased the pressure on Northampton with a late penalty before Bruce Reihana crossed in the final minute, allowing Ashton to touch down for his hat-trick.

Meanwhile, third-placed Saracens closed in on a play-off spot with a 37-18 defeat of Harlequins at Wembley.